Upward Bound students complete 39th summer of UVa-Wise program

Area high school students and 2005 high school graduates recently completed their summer term of Upward Bound at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. During this 39th summer of the program, students participated in various classes and engaged in a variety of activities revolving around the theme of “Strength through Diversity.”

Students currently attending high school took classes throughout the summer to help prepare them for their upcoming SOL subjects. Areas of focus for these classes included English, literature, algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, calculus, biology, ecology, chemistry, physics, history, government, and Spanish. Students were also given the opportunity to choose elective courses in art, communication, and creative writing.

In addition, students who graduated from high school this year and who are enrolled to attend UVa-Wise this fall took “History of Western Civilization I” and “Theory and Practice of Drawing” for college credit.

Beyond their academic studies, students also participated in the College’s work-study program. Students either worked in an office on-campus, participated in a photojournalism class to produce a summer magazine, or participated in a career development course, which featured guest speakers, field trips to job sites, mock interviews, and research paper assignments.

Upward Bound students also had the chance to have a little fun, too. The students traveled to Pennsylvania, where they visited an Amish community and took a tour of the Hershey Chocolate Factory and Hershey Park.

As participants of the program, students receive free tutoring, academic counseling, motivational sessions, test information, and college prep. Also, Upward Bound pays for the PSAT, SAT, ACT, college applications, and some dual enrollment and AP classes for those juniors and seniors who qualify.

Upward Bound of UVa-Wise serves low-income and/or first-generation high school students from ten schools in the City of Norton and Wise, Dickenson, and Russell counties. The program, which has been at the College since 1966, now serves 65 students and is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Over the last 6 years, 90 percent of the graduating seniors have enrolled in college; to date, 74 percent of those students are still enrolled or graduated this year.

The program’s activities are free to the students, who also receive a stipend for participation. Interested students may check with their school guidance counselor or contact the Upward Bound office at (276) 328-0175 for eligibility requirements and application information. Students must be enrolled in college-bound track classes and maintaining a GPA of at least 2.5. Additional information may also be found by visiting the Upward Bound web site at www.uvawise.edu/upward_bound/index.html.



The only branch of the University of Virginia, UVa-Wise is ranked among the nation's top public liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report. UVa-Wise is home to 1,800 students and offers undergraduate and professional programs in the liberal arts tradition of Thomas Jefferson.

Upward Bound students who recently graduated from high school and took courses for UVa-Wise credit included Adam French, Elizabeth Marshall, Phillip Mullins, Bryan McCowan, Dusty O’Quinn, and Garrick Rose, all of Ervinton.

The high school students who participated in the summer program included the following:

DICKENSON COUNTY
Clintwood
Jacob Adams
Jeremy Edwards
Jonathan Edwards

Ervinton
Amy Bugarski
Courtney Hill

RUSSELL COUNTY
Castlewood
Joseph Turner

WISE COUNTY
Coeburn
Brittany Bones
Sally Duty
Tabitha Duty
Faith Frost
Christina Graham
Steven Hensley
Ariel Kennedy
Rachel Kennedy
Fallon Mullins
Amanda Sykes

Pound
Justin Bishop
Sydney Bowman
Molly Shortt

St. Paul
Brittany McReynolds
Tanya McReynolds

Wise
Jessica Branham
Katherine Collins
Patience Gardner
Cindy Greene
Alicia Justice
William Lester
Misty Lucas